Atesting opportunity... Continued

Posted on Mon Nov 20th, 2017 @ 10:16am by Lieutenant Reno “Reno-gade” Van Straten

Mission: Mission 0: Everybody Has A Story
Location: Starbase 424
Timeline: Three weeks ago

[ON]

[Starbase 424, Deck 127, Compartment 84 Flight School]

The next six weeks went by as a blur, Van Straten and the other thirteen pilots, two more arrived after him, spent fourteen hours a day in the simulators, at pre and post flight briefings; pouring over technical manuals or in the holodeck working on maintenance and engineering programs covering everything from impulse engines to warp cores.

The flight simulations grew more and more complex, featuring a variety of craft from single fighters; Shuttles; Runabouts and then up into a range of escort type ships, Sabres and Defiants. The missions ran from fighter combat, long distance astro navigation, planetary landings, low level high speed flights over different terrains and complex docking maneuvers with a variety of Federation and non-Federation craft, some of which nobody had ever seen before.

One by one the candidates were whittled down. There was an individual evaluation meeting every five days, where the pilots sat down with Heujon, Shoni’ZhAsdex and their crew of technicians. The meetings were brutal, any navigation miscalculation, flight error, combat loss or crash was dissected in great detail. The pilot was given guidance on required improvements and put back in the simulators.

Those that did not demonstrate the required skill or make the required improvements were removed from the program. Usually they simply didn’t come back from the evaluation meeting and when everyone got back to the dormitory their bed was empty and their gear was gone.

When the number was down to six candidates remaining there was a change in the training regime. When Reno and the others came into the flight briefing one morning they found six new people waiting for them.

“Take your seat and I’ll introduce the newcomers.” Shoni’ZhAsdex said. “These are some of the best tactical operators in the fleet. Specialists in starship weapons and tactics. For the next five days you will be working with them on combat evolutions. We’re looking to see how well you can integrate your flying with defending and fighting your ship. You need to work with your tactical operators, listen to what they need and adjust your piloting so they can use their defensive and offensive systems effectively. You’ll all be working with each other, so you need to adapt and change your style with each team mate.”

She then read off the first pairings and they started off in dual seater fighter bombers on a low level planetary attack mission. Over the next four days Reno worked with each of the Tactical Operators several times. There were a couple he got along really well with, but in particular with one female Bajoran, Master Chief Petty Officer Dynt Sharja. For some reason they just clicked, she gave him good instructions on vectors and maneuvers and he was able to put the craft in just the right spot for her to get the weapons on target. Within a couple of missions they were anticipating each other’s needs and completed objective after objective.

On the fourth day there was another change. At the last de-brief of the day Heujon announced they could have a night off. “You’ve all worked hard, now you get to play hard. You can go to the promenade levels, just be back by 2230 hours. Next evolution is at 0700 make sure you’re sober and ready to go.”

“And don’t forget the rules!” Shoni’ZhAsdex added as the candidates scrambled to leave.

Ten minutes later twelve pilots and tactical operators piled into the first bar they found after getting off the turbo lift. Needless to say a good time was had by all and by the time they sat down for something to eat, around nine o’clock, they’d all had a few drinks and were garrulous. Before long the talk turned to the days missions and a couple were animatedly describing their maneuvers to the others. One Human male was excitedly explaining “Man, I had this Breen Raider nailed, dropped in behind him, my Tact was just about to open up when BOOM! He took out the stabilizers with a belly turret!”

“You some kind of hot shot pilot honey?” One of the waitresses asked as she brought their food.

“Sure am! Gonna be a test pilot, working on some brand new ships, real soon! - Hey! What?” He exclaimed in surprise as somebody kicked him under the table.

Reno turned to Sharja and rolled his eyes. “Idiot’s running his mouth”

She nodded “Can’t hold his liquor either”

The next morning, right after breakfast the pilot was called out of the dorm by Shoni’ZhAsdex. He had not returned by the time they arrived at the briefing area and Heujon explained was there to explain why.

“Our colleague forgot the rules. He will not be continuing” The Commander announced “And anyone else who jeopardizes security will be gone as well”

“Probably set the whole thing up as a test” Reno said quietly to Sharja.

The rest of the day was spent on an extended evolution, Reno was paired with Sharja aboard a Defiant, they completed a navigational exercise, several runs through a mine field and a punishing duel with three Jem Hadar attack ships. They were one of only two ships to have survived the entire mission. Another pilot was dropped after the evaluation meeting, leaving only four of the original fourteen left.

That turned out to be the last of the joint missions and the Tactical operators left the next day. “Was good flying with you El Tee” Sharja told Reno as she prepared to depart. “Guess we’re all going on to some other training, but they said not to talk about it…”

Reno nodded “I know, gonna miss you Chief, we made a pretty good team” He watched her leave.

To Be Continued…

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